FR2962016A1 - APPLICATION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for applying a product to the skin comprising an applicator member (2) having an application surface (3) intended to be brought into contact with the skin in order to deposit and / or spread a produced on the skin, this surface is defined by a thermoplastic material, different from a foam, and having reliefs (14) with a height (h) of between 40 μm and 0.3 mm, these reliefs coming from material with the substrate from which they are trained.

Description

The present invention relates to an application device that allows to deposit and distribute a cosmetic product on the skin in a homogeneous manner. "Cosmetic product" means a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993.

In the state of the art, sponges, flocked tips and brushes are conventionally known for taking and then homogeneously spreading the product. The disadvantage of these application organs is that they are difficult to clean.

Document US5388700 discloses a tip that can be provided with different application tips, all respectively removable and replaceable.

Also known are massage members having reliefs, in particular documents EP-1764019, FR-2626769 and FR2506579, such that when they are moved in contact with the skin, the dead skin is torn off and an effect is thus obtained. softness of the skin thus massaged.

The object of the invention is to propose an effective application device in the application of a product in a homogeneous layer and which is otherwise easy to clean, and thus for example reusable. Another advantage of the invention is to propose an application member that may be expensive to produce, but whose technical performance is good.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an applicator device comprising an applicator member provided with microreliefs at the level of the application surface. In particular, the invention relates to a device for applying a product to the skin comprising an applicator member having an application surface intended to be put in contact with the skin in order to deposit and or spread out a product on the skin, this surface is defined by a thermoplastic material, different from a foam, and having reliefs with a height of between 40 μm and 0.3 mm, these reliefs coming from material with the substrate from which they are trained. 10

An interest of the spaces created between the reliefs is for example to be able to serve as a reservoir of product. In addition, these reliefs participate in a better spreading and greater homogenization of the product deposited on the skin by means of such an application surface.

This type of applicator is particularly suitable for the application of waterpack foundations or compacted powders.

For example, the material may be flexible, and have a Shore A hardness less than 70.

The reliefs can at least partially define a linear relief. In this case, this linear relief may have a width of between 0.1 and 5 times its height.

Advantageously, the reliefs may form a pattern corresponding to a fingerprint reproduced at real size at this surface. Such a pattern has the advantage of reproducing a feeling of digital application, while avoiding the user to get dirty hands.

Advantageously, the application surface may be chosen to be impervious to the product. In this case, it is easier to clean because the product does not penetrate into the applicator member beyond the application surface. This feature also has the advantage of avoiding stain the fingers of the user when loading product as the application. This imperviousness of the application surface makes it possible to keep a clean surface visually throughout the life of the application member because the surface is easily washable with water, soap, or with a make-up remover.

The applicator member may be removable relative to a device gripping member. In particular, the applicator member may be movably mounted, for example mobile in rotation relative to a gripping member of the device.

The application member may define a cavity, for example configured to receive a finger or a hand, such that the application surface defines the outer periphery of this cavity.

For example, the surface can be obtained from molding.

The subject of the invention is also a packaging and application assembly comprising a device according to the invention such that the applicator member can be mounted permanently on a dispensing nozzle of the assembly integral with a container of product of this set.

The subject of the invention is also a method for producing a device according to the invention such that the application surface and its reliefs can be obtained by molding in a mold, an inner periphery of the mold having been previously etched for this purpose. for example by chemical etching.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These are presented only as an indication and in no way limitative of the invention. The figures show: FIG. 1: a view in longitudinal section of an application device according to the invention; 2: a cross-sectional view of the application device of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b and 4c: perspective views of variant embodiments of an application device according to the invention ; - Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f and 5g: top views of pattern variants for reliefs to be formed on an application device according to the invention; - Figure 6: a perspective view of a portion of the reliefs formed on an application device according to the invention; - Figure 7: a sectional view, along a transverse sectional plane, of the reliefs of Figure 6.

FIG. 1 shows an application device 1 forming an application member 2 with an application surface 3. The application member 2 here has a cavity 4 capable of receiving a finger, for example the index finger. This inner cavity 4 can also receive another filling material such as a foam in order to obtain a soft and pliable applicator, which is pleasant for the application. This cavity 4 can be completely filled so that it is no longer possible to insert a finger. As a variant not shown, the cavity may not open at the level of the application surface 3. As a variant not shown, the applicator member may also be solid and not have a cavity. The application surface 3 is defined by the outer periphery of the member 2.

The inner periphery of the cavity 4 is not part of the application surface 3.

The member 2 is of elongated shape along an axis X and the application surface 3 has two substantially planar faces 5 and 6 parallel to each other, FIG. 2. The faces 5 and 6 are parallel to the X axis The cavity 4 is defined along the axis X. The faces 5 and 6 are respectively interconnected by edges 7 and 8, one of which is defined so as to have a convex portion, while the other Singing 8 is defined to have a concave portion.

Since the cavity 4 has a substantially frustoconical or even cylindrical internal volume, the member 2 has walls of variable thickness, especially at the edges 7 and 8. The maximum thicknesses of the edges 7 and 8, respectively measured perpendicularly, are noted e7 and e8. to the X axis, all along this axis X.

The member 2 is in the example obtained from a single molding piece. It is non-porous. It can be made from any thermoplastic material, for example SEBS, silicone, latex, natural rubber, reinforced slip material, butyl, EPDM, nitrile, thermoplastic elastomer, elastomer, polyester, polyamide, polyethylene or vinyl, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, in particular low density PE, PVC, EVA, PS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM , PA, PMMA. Such materials exhibit fast drying characteristics when wetted at the surface, especially because of suitable surface tension characteristics. In particular, the materials known under the trade names Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax®, Pollobas® can be used, this list not being limiting. The material used to make the applicator member may contain a softening agent and / or a bactericidal agent, such as silver ions, for example.

Throughout the remainder of the description, the same references are given to the equivalent elements of the different variants.

Figure 3a shows an applicator member 2 in the form of a glove. Figure 3b shows a disc-shaped applicator. For example, the disk is hollow and is filled from a gaping face by a filling material, such as a foam. In this embodiment, an alternative not shown, the application member 2 can also be massive. This applicator member 2 may be adapted to be mounted reversibly on an applicator door, a product tank cap or any other type of support that promotes gripping.

4a, the applicator member 2 is disposed at a dispensing nozzle 9, provided with a dispensing orifice 10 mounted in fluid communication with a container 11 containing a product to be applied. 4b, the application member 2 is in the form of a roller mounted free to rotate about an axis 12 integral with a gripping member 13 of the device. Alternatively, Figure 4, the applicator member 2 is in the form of a spatula secured to a gripping member 13, in the example in the form of a rod. For example, this rod may be integral with a closure member of a container in which is contained the product to be applied by means of the applicator member.

The applicator member 2 is configured to assist in the sampling and / or spreading of a cosmetic product, such as, for example, a foundation, whether it is fluid, compact or pasty, or a gloss to be applied. on the lips, or a cleansing gel or scrub or a cream on the face. The applicator member 2 may also be useful for massage or body cleansing.

The application member 2 according to the invention comprises reliefs 14, also called "micro-reliefs" at a zone 15, this zone 15 representing at least part of the total application area. By microreliefs are meant reliefs having a height of between 40 μm and 0.3 mm relative to the substrate from which they are raised.

For example, the area 15 has an area greater than 0.5 cm 2, more preferably greater than 3 cm 2. In this zone 15, the surface state is for example 50% represented by these reliefs. The reliefs form patterns. Variations of patterns formed by these reliefs are shown in Figures 5a to 5d. 5a, the zone 15 has reliefs symbolizing a fingerprint of one end of a finger. Figure 5b, the reliefs have substantially circular concentric rods, while in Figure 5c, the rods are ovoid. Figure 5d, the reliefs represent flattened annular rushes contiguous to each other.

All types of patterns are also part of the invention. A pattern representing an arrangement of substantially straight microfibers and substantially spread so as to extend substantially all along the same axis is a pattern according to the invention, see Figure 5e. A pattern representing reliefs of the tanned leather type, such as for example cowhide, is shown in FIG. 5f. Figure 5g shows another pattern according to the invention with a relief arrangement showing an arrangement of non-rectilinear microfibers but substantially spread so as to extend substantially all along the same axis.

The reliefs shown for information in Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 4b are shown in a scale larger than the other elements shown, to make them localizable in the Figures. But these reliefs can be invisible to the naked eye.

As shown in FIG. 6, the reliefs 14 have at least one, and in particular several, substantially linear segment (s) erected from a main surface 16. The main surface 16 and the reliefs 14 together form the zone 15 of the surface application 3.

A relief 14a shown in Figure 6 extends along a curve C. Each relief can extend along a clean curve. This relief 14a has a length L along this curve C of between 5 and 40 mm. The curve C may have concavities and or convexities on the left and on the right, when viewed from above. Curve C can form a closed loop, as in the examples of FIGS. 5b, 5c and 5d.

According to a transverse plane VII-VII cross section, perpendicular to the curve C and perpendicular to the main surface 16, the relief 14a has a height h between 40 pm and 0.3 mm; best between 80 μm and 0.2 mm. This height may vary along the curve C. All the reliefs do not have the same height, as shown in FIG. 7, where the height of the relief 14b is smaller than that of the relief 14a. But preferably, all the reliefs have the same height h.

Still according to this sectional plane VII-VII, the relief 14a has a trapezoidal section, in which the width e of the top of the relief is between 1 μm and 0.3 mm. For example, the width e may be substantially equal to the height h.

Alternatively, especially in cases where the curve C is open, the width e can be refined by the free ends of the curve C. This width e can vary along the curve C. Not all reliefs have the same width, as shown in Figure 7, where the width of the relief 14b is less than that of the relief 14a.

In this cutting plane, the distance d between the relief 14a and the nearest relief 14b is, for example, between 40 μm and 1 mm. Along the curve C of the relief 14a, the distance d with the relief 14b can change.

The zone 15 is delimited by the perimeter surrounding the entire application surface 3 having such reliefs 14. In this zone 15, the main surface 16 is substantially flat and the heights h reliefs 14 are measured relative thereto. For example, this zone 15 is obtained by a technique of chemical etching of the mold in which thermoplastic material is poured so as to form said application surface 3. In particular, this material is shaped in a mold of injection, blowing, thermoforming, thermocompression, casting or rotational molding.

The engraving is usable in molds made of aluminum or steel, provided that they are not stainless. To achieve this etching, in a first step, the mold is degreased with soapy water. Then, areas of the mold that must not be etched are protected. Finally, a film is laid on which a pattern is printed. After several acid baths of determined duration as a function of the desired depth for the microreliefs, an oxygenated water rinsing step is undertaken and the mold is then ready to mold application devices having reliefs according to the invention. .

To perfect the pattern, a sanding operation or microbrilling of the mold can also be performed.

Throughout the description, the phrase "having one" should be considered synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS1 - Device (1) for applying a product to the skin comprising an applicator member (2) having an application surface (3) intended to be brought into contact with the skin in order to deposit and or spreading a product on the skin, this surface is defined by a thermoplastic material, different from a foam, and having reliefs (14) with a height (h) of between 40 μm and 0.3 mm, these reliefs coming from material with the substrate from which they are trained. 2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the material is flexible, and has a Shore A hardness less than 70. 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the reliefs at least partially define a linear relief. 4 - Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the linear relief has a width (e) between 0.1 and 5 times its height 5 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the reliefs form a pattern corresponding to a fingerprint, reproduced at real size at this surface. 6 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the application surface is impermeable to the product. 7 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the applicator member is removable relative to a gripping member of the device. 30 8 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the applicator member is movably mounted, for example rotatable relative to a gripping member of the device. 25 9 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is configured so that the applicator member defines a cavity (4), for example configured to receive a finger or a hand, such as the surface application defines the outer circumference of this cavity. 10 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the surface is obtained molding. 11 - Packaging and application unit comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member is permanently mounted on a nozzle (9) for dispensing the integral assembly of a container (11) of product of this set. 12 - A method of producing a device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the application surface and its reliefs are obtained by molding in a mold, an inner periphery of the mold having been previously etched, for example by chemical etching.5